Which of the following is arguable the most influential of all socialization agents we encounter?

Introduction

Within today’s global epoch agents of socialization my differ in a accordance to the cultural conditions of varying constituencies. This process does however entail the procedure upon which human beings not only learn about ourselves but society as a whole. Within the profession of sociology socialization refers to the internal process every individual encounters regarding the understanding of basic humanitarian abnormalities in addition to ideologies of society. As a result of this actuality social experiences have a effect on every individual regardless of their economic,social or environmental conditioning. In this essay I will be discussing three agents of socialization ,as well as their role with regard to human development.I will then thirdly provide examples regarding how these events affect an individual’s life.

For centuries human beings have used the process known as socialization to not only learn how to communicate with other individuals but become knowledgeable with regard to general normalities of civilization .Socialization is a lifelong process which involves individuals learning about social expectations in addition to the process of interface.All processes a person may regard as ‘human nature’ are in fact as a corollary of the socialization interface. Nevertheless through the teachings of Socialization human beings have learned how to walk,talk and feed themselves as well as conduct themselves in accordance to societies behavioral formalities.

Agent of Socialization: Family

According to Mustaeva the concept of family as an institution in accordance to sociology has the greatest impact on socialization with regards to human development.During infancy human beings are completely dependent on others for survival .Hence fourth a individuals family usually assume these responsibilities, as a result the individuals family is considered to be one of the most preeminent agents of socialization throughout human development. A individuals family define who a person is, shape individual internal perceptions in addition to the fact that of family conferment as an absolute conferment within societies).The effects of socialization agents with regards to family can however be noted through observation of social mannerisms between a individual from an under privileged family living within the rural areas of South Africa and a individual from a wealthy family situated within a urban area of the same country.

An example of this circumstance can be noted as a person living within a rural area may not have the same gesticulation as a person from a upper middle class family living in a urban environment due to the fact that the person living within the bucolic area was raised in a different type of social conditioning which results in a demarcation of character between the two groups.

Agent of Socialization: School

The next important socialization agent within a individuals childhood is however the schooling process.The schooling system as a societal structure serves as a means to transfer not only crucial knowledge but the edification of life skills.Within childhood learning establishments children learn crucial social skills through their interactions with educators, support staff in addition to other students.According to Amy Pearson although a child’s social development may rotate around family dynamics, a individuals personality and internal characteristics are the most influenced within a school as a result of it being a foreign socialization agent. Additionally,school provides children with the ability to better relate towards different personality types through the stimulation of problem solving skills and self-control.School as a institution enlarges the social world for children due to the fact that they are granted the opportunity to engage with other students from both different social and cultural backgrounds(n.a, 2017).Learning establishments like schools are however crucial institutions as they not only reinforce the fundamentals with regard to success within a society but the principal that actions and choices have consequences(Pearson ) .The Schooling system is however intended to not only teach the curriculum of societal norms and regulations but the characteristics which make a individual suitable for the work force.

This can be noted as in a school environment a child may learn specific skills that the educator did not intend .For example in a public schooling environment a child may learn that by shouting out answers in a class discussion instead of raising their hand,not only grants them the opportunity to appear well-informed in front of their classmates but the possibility of them getting attention from their educator whilst receiving no punishment

Agent of Socialization: The media

In today’s 21st century the media has become a crucial aspect of continued societal growth, as a result of the fact that this platform has become one of the most influential factors with regard to secondary socialization. The term mass media refers to the process where communication takes place in the hopes of reaching a larger audience. It is due to this actuality that the media is now considered to be one of the greatest agencies of socialization outside an individual’s family and peer group. The media as a socialization agent comes in a variety in forms ranging from the radio, movies, music, books, magazines, newspapers in addition to the internet. Consequently this social agent’s availability has become a crucial aspect of a societies continued existence and affluence. According to Roziete Uzinene the media has become a platform cable of affecting social environmental conditions, as result of the fact that it influences a individuals interrelations, communication abilities in addition to views regarding various stereotypes(2009,p.231). Regardless of this fact the media is however a dais which offers information in the form of another’s perceived reality (Uzinene 2009, p.231).

Nevertheless Ayotunde Badoru believes the media as an agent of socialization does on the other hand contain negative effects with regard to children in the process of human development (n.d,p.2).This can be noted as a seemingly endless amount of violent programmes on television create not only bad roles for children but make individuals internalize specific attitudes throughout the course of their human development.(Badoru n,d,p.1–3).An example of this can be noted as a child may develop a character similar to that of a popular televised antagonist which may lead to them committing acts in accordance to the characters role as either a bully, thief or manipulator. This reality will ultimately have a negative effect on a Childs development.

Conclusion

Hence fourth in conclusion it is my belief that agents of socialization are not only agents which enable us to about ourselves but the normalities and rules of society as a whole. Agents Of socialization not only affect the way we perceive reality but an individual’s basic understanding regarding the communication process between various individuals. Socialization agents are crucial aspects of society which enable self erudition with regard to societal normalities.

Reference list

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Cowell, E. (2017). Agents of Socialization: Family, Schools, Peers and Media — Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com. [online] Study.com. Available at: http://study.com/academy/lesson/agents-of-socialization-family-schools-peers-and-media.html [Accessed 13 Apr. 2017].

Heman, L. (1979). Theory and Research in Social Education. Theory & Research in Social Education, 7(1), pp.63–65.

Storify. (2017). How does Mass Media Affect Socialization in Children and inYoung Adults (with images) · _Mama_Cita_. [online] Available at: https://storify.com/_Mama_Cita_/how-does-mass-media-affect-socialization-in-young [Accessed 13 Apr. 2017].

Uznienė, R. (2009). MEDIA — AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION. Regional Formation and Development Studies,, 3(8), pp.231–242.